I have had my first hunt with Axel yesterday. Axel's performance exceeded my expectations by far. He has great strength, speed and agility. The first fifteen minutes into the hunt he pointed to a nice cock pheasant which I shot. He never retrieved it but when I approached him he had his paw on the bird waiting for me to pick it up.

We enjoyed a very successful day of hunting.

Fred
Calgary, Alberta

Submitted by: Kyle McArthur on Jul 19, 2011

Hello Craig, Just wanted to drop you a line and let you know once again that I appreciated all your work with our GSP, Max. Over the past few weeks, I've really been able to finally see what a great foundation you gave him. Now that we've had some time together in the field, Max responds very well to me. He adheres to "whoa" and here very well, even at great distances, and our relationship seems to get better every time we go out. I introduced him to water recently, as well, and he happily retrieves from the water now with enthusiasm. I had an opportunity to run him this past weekend in an AKC Junior Hunt Test. We went so I could see Max get on a couple birds and I could meet some folks with similar interests. He performed well and qualified easily both days. Max was very proud as was I, and I happily credited you and your kennel for all the hard work. We were also able to do some training, staging a couple chukar for him to point. He did so well, and retrieved them both after they flushed and were shot. We had no issue with the hard mouth and ,as you suggested, I fed him the heads and he was tickled pink. Regards, Kyle McArthur
North Pole, Alaska

Submitted by: Steve Truber on May 25, 2011

Comments : Hello Craig,
It has almost been a year since we got Maggie and I thought I'd let you know how she is doing. I hunted her for pheasants last fall and she was getting the idea of how pheasants behave. Over the winter we didn't do any hunting but have been working on her with some chukar as of lately. She is rock solid on point, very stylish. She is responding well to whistle signals to come in, change direction and whoa. She has become steady on point to flush and has learned not to chase birds that fly away and are not shot. She experienced a porcupine over the winter and got a face full of quills. She is a fine dog in the house and very good with children.

Steve Truver

Submitted by: Jennifer on May 25, 2011

Hello! Wanted to give you an update on the solid black male we took home back in November.We went back and forth on names and my dad finally settled on "Gunner". He's such a SMART puppy. He's a fast-learner and picks up on commands really fast! We're all very amazed at how some traits are so natural to him. I know, every dog owner thinks their dog is the best and smartest thing around, but this little guy really is something else! He's a confident, happy, independent pup who loves to be in the middle of the action. The day we walked in the field with you and Smokey at Muddy Creek, I was impressed how the little pup stayed nearby without straying off -- that must be a built-in trait. He loves being around us, my dad especially, and doesn't ever get goofy or aloof and wander off. It's been too cold to try getting him in the water just yet, but we think he's going to love it as much as Smokey. He's had a couple of baths in my moms big bathtub and it's hilarious to watch him having fun pawing at the water. He'll even dive his head under to grab a toy. He's such a happy pup and he's not afraid of anything! My parents went to watch one of their friends at a dog show in St. Louis today and left saying they were so proud of having Gunner because, according to them, "Gunner's black coat is beautiful and he's happier than any of those dogs"! It's great to see them both so proud of their new buddy. He's growing up nicely. He's so composed, strong and sure of himself and hasn't had very many of those awkward clumsy puppy moments. He's such a great pup and a perfect fit for my dad! I attached some pictures-- one from the ride home from Muddy Creek, one at about 3 months, and one from a few days ago. Larry & Peggy Brand 18127 Bent Ridge Drive Glencoe, MO 63038 Thanks so much for everything!! Jennifer

Submitted by: Ken Harvey on Mar 08, 2011

Craig – I want to thank you, your wife and son for the hospitality on our recent visit. It was enjoyable to watch a dog man at work. I think you sold me a good one.

Please let me know when you believe you have him to where I would like him to be and I’ll arrange to come and pick him up.

Thanks again,

Ken Harvey

Submitted by: Jennifer on Mar 07, 2011

Hello! Wanted to give you an update on the solid black male we took home back in November. He was supposed to be a surprise Christmas gift for my dad, but my brother and I ended up giving him to my dad on Thanksgiving. We just couldn't keep the secret that long-- and it turned out to be even better timing because it gave them more time in those early weeks for bonding. Plus, he was so cute we couldn't resist letting my parents enjoy those adorable puppy moments.

We went back and forth on names and my dad finally settled on "Gunner". He's such a SMART puppy. He's a fast-learner and picks up on commands really fast! We're all very amazed at how some traits are so natural to him. I know, every dog owner thinks their dog is the best and smartest thing around, but this little guy really is something else!

He's a confident, happy, independent pup who loves to be in the middle of the action. The day we walked in the field with you and Smokey at Muddy Creek, I was impressed how the little pup stayed nearby without straying off -- that must be a built-in trait. He loves being around us, my dad especially, and doesn't ever get goofy or aloof and wander off.

It's been too cold to try getting him in the water just yet, but we think he's going to love it as much as Smokey. He's had a couple of baths in my moms big bathtub and it's hilarious to watch him having fun pawing at the water. He'll even dive his head under to grab a toy. He's such a happy pup and he's not afraid of anything!

My parents went to watch one of their friends at a dog show in St. Louis today and left saying they were so proud of having Gunner because, according to them, "Gunner's black coat is beautiful and he's happier than any of those dogs"! It's great to see them both so proud of their new buddy.

He's growing up nicely. He's so composed, strong and sure of himself and hasn't had very many of those awkward clumsy puppy moments. He's such a great pup and a perfect fit for my dad! I attached some pictures-- one from the ride home from Muddy Creek, one at about 3 months, and one from a few days ago.
Thanks so much for everything!!

Jennifer

Submitted by: Butch Kenny on Feb 21, 2011

Hi Craig,

Wanted to give you an up date on Belle.

She is a great family dog , we all love her. She seems to be very happy here and has a great home.

As for hunting, which is why I bought her. She is awesome, I can't explain what happened but she decided to hunt. She works all around me in a 20 to 30 yd radius or so. perfect for me. She holds point. retrieves. She's a $10,000 dog to me.

I want to thank you again, and will recommend you to anyone.

Take care

Butch

Submitted by: Lynne Hamontree on Feb 14, 2011

Dear Craig,
I just wanted to tell you a big thanks for such a wonderful dog! I remember talking to you before we got one of your pups and we just wanted a smart dog which we had not been successful in choosing in previous dogs. When we are walking on the beach and our dog is running my husband blows his whistle she jumps around and runs to him and stops quickly right by his feet. Everyone asks what kind of dog it is because they have never seen a black GSP. She is truly special and happens to be beautiful too. Thanks for your advice and help in choosing her for us.
Lynne Hamontree

Submitted by: Chuck Smith on Feb 12, 2011

I bought Sparky's Muddy Creek Jake in May of 2005. Without a doubt he was the best hunter and companion a man could want. I had him in the field with a lot of good dogs that he made look average at best. Bird finder, tracker,and retriever there was none better. I had Jake put to sleep this past Tuesday due to seizures caused by him taking a beating while trying to protect our home during a home invasion robbery in 2008. I lost $10,000 in guns but that doesn't compare to the loss of Jake. I want to thank you for bringing him into my life. You might remember him as Daniels favorite . Your Friend Charles Smith He was the son of Muddy Creek Roudy Hustler and Muddy Creek Majestic.

Submitted by: Chip Street on Feb 12, 2011

Craig, just wanted to let you know Duke is doing great. He is an excellent bird finder and an outstanding retriever. We are looking forward to picking up Grace in the spring.